World Deaf Orienteering Championships

[Gross]

An area of our sport that you very (ever) rarely 'hear' about in GB but the World Deaf Championships are taking place in Hungrary this week. There is British participation led by Ian Ditchfield of Mole Valley

http://www.deaforienteering.org/WDOC%202006/forside.htm

This is one area of our sport that could be pushed in GB as I'm sure it would help meet some of the governments criteria for inclusion of disabilities and could lead to involvement in mainstream orienteering.

I certainly believe it is much more likely to lead to inclusion from outside existing orienteers rather than Trail O which seems to attract orienteers who can no longer orienteer.

Interesting that the World number 1 from Lithuania ran at WOC in Denmark

Seems like the next WDOC is not until 2010, 4 years away. Would be good to see if BOF can put some effort into this area of the sport before then.

[HOCOLITE]

What are the criteria for inclusion? I know of Ian Ditchfield but don't know him but I do know of two orienteers of very different ages who are totally dependent on hearing aids. How are the competitors selected or is it a case of turn up if you qualify?

[Gross]

No idea Have raised the question with BOF & have sent a mail to Ian asking him for info..........

[Jon Brooke]

I'm sure I'm probably just showing my ignorance (again) but why would deaf competitors need a separate competiton anyway?

[NeilC]

What are the criteria for inclusion? I know of Ian Ditchfield but don't know him but I do know of two orienteers of very different ages who are totally dependent on hearing aids. How are the competitors selected or is it a case of turn up if you qualify?

I believe Ian said something like not being able to hear a noise at 50dB or something along that line.

[graeme]

I'm sure I'm probably just showing my ignorance (again) but why would deaf competitors need a separate competiton anyway?

Similar reasons to why students do I suppose.

Graeme

[Kitch]

so, if i were to wear ear-plugs...?

[Paulo]

Could you compete if you're only deaf in one ear?

[Gnitworp]

Depends on whether you go round the course clockwise or anti-clockwise and which ear you're deaf in.

[Paul Frost]

Lee Kemp from Southdowns is also taking part. Read his report on the Southdowns website.

[Kitch]

wasn't being facetious by the way
there is an able bodied bloke who does wheelchair athletics races.

[Gnitworp]

You'd probably be at a disadvantage if you wore earplugs because you're not used to coping, but then of course you could whip them out when no one was looking.

[Gross]

There's a good news article on WDOC on the BOF website today.... BOF are actually getting much better at getting the news up (need to find something else to moan about now)

[Gnitworp]

Shows you how moaning pays dividends.

[CHS]

Being deaf in one ear does not count- you can still hear well with the other ear and the disadvantage of not being able to place sounds is not that significant.